Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

8. connected with
Ec 7:7.
Let the "wise" wait for "the end," and the "oppressions" which now (in
"the beginning") perplex their faith, will be found by God's working to
be overruled to their good. "Tribulation worketh patience"
(Ro 5:3),
which is infinitely better than "the proud spirit" that prosperity
might have generated in them, as it has in fools
(Ps 73:2, 3, 12-14, 17-26;
Jas 5:11).

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - Let us hear the conclusion of the
whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is]
the whole [duty] of man. For God shall bring every work into
judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or
whether [it be] evil.

The Old Testament - A Brief Overview

Bible Survey - Ecclesiastes
Hebrew Name - Qoheleth "the preacher"
Greek Name - Ekklesiastes (Greek form of the Hebrew)
Author - Solomon (According to Tradition)
Date - 977 BC Approximately
Theme - All pursuits in life are empty except fearing God and
obeying His Word
Types and Shadows - In Ecclesiastes Jesus is true fulfillment

Illustration of Solomon's Temple on Mount Moriah

Summary of The Book of Ecclesiastes

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon who was the
wisest man in the world, and in fact he was the embodiment of
pure wisdom if you read his story. There was no man better
qualified to talk about life, because he tasted everything in
life to its fullest power, he had fame, wealth, power, women,
and everything that any man could ever wish for. He tested out
everything in life both with God and without God, and his
conclusion was that everything "under the sun" is futile,
meaningless, purposeless, and empty, without God. His
encouragement is to remember the Lord while you are young, fear
him, obey him, and respect him. This is the true meaning and
purpose in life, and the source of fulfillment.

The word "Ecclesiastes" is the Greek equivalent for the
Hebrew word Koheleth, or "the preacher." Solomon was the wisest
man in the world, people came from all over the world to hear
his wisdom. He built the Temple in Jerusalem, he was the son of
King David, and he was chosen to impart his wisdom to us in the
book of Ecclesiastes.

Solomon had thoroughly experienced all avenues of pleasure,
all avenues of sensuality, all avenues of wealth, honor, folly,
and the pursuit of knowledge. He also sinned in giving way to every excess of life which
his position made possible and comes to the realization of the uselessness of it
all. He concludes that the result of his efforts have been made him empty and that
there is nothing new under the sun, but all is part of the endless, frustrating
circularity. His attitude was spoken in the recurring phrase, "vanity of vanities,
all is vanity, saith the preacher." In Ecclesiastes, the world is convicted of
its vanity by one who has drunk of every spring.

The conclusion which Solomon "the preacher" reaches is that in such an empty
and unsatisfying world where disappointment, trouble and death cannot be
avoided, a quiet enjoyment of God's gifts is the only real wisdom. The man who
is truly wise will "fear God and keep his commandments" (12:13-14), making the
best of things as he finds them and trusting in the providence of God. This
secret should be understood early in life. An understanding of this will provide
one with great pleasure in life. The book of Ecclesiastes profoundly illustrates the idea that a life apart from God is a
life without meaning.

Outline of the Book of Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:26 - Sermon #1: The vanity of human
wisdom. In this section the preacher argues that human
effort and human achievement are futile, and he demonstrates
this by talking about the futility of human life at every stage
in every generation. He goes on to discuss how empty human
wisdom, education and philosophy is. Also the enjoyments of
pleasure as well as money and wealth bring emptiness. Even the
wisest of all men must eventually die, and all of man's hard
work and business and wealth are left to undeserving heirs. Man
should be content with all the provisions that God gives in
life.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-5:20 - Sermon #2: Appreciate the divine laws
governing life. Life and death is a reality, and there is a
proper time that has been determined for every activity and
every experience. God is the only one who guarantees anything of
value, and anything that lasts. Man will experience punishment
and men will experience death, this is universal for every man
and every beast. There is no certainty of what is beyond life
from the human perspective, so make the best of this present
life in the eyes of God. There are also disappointments in life,
there is cruelty and there is misery and there is affliction.
There are disadvantages to those who succeed in life, and there
are penalties for those who are lazy and the greedy. The
hardships in life are better faced with a partner than alone,
and if one succeeds in politics this is also unstable. When
someone seeks after whatever benefits himself this also is
futile. When you live your life or yourself, or sacrifice for
others this is folly, vain words and broken promises is also
folly. When someone does you wrong and they are paid back for
their wrongdoing or for their greed this also is folly. You can
only find contentment in life when you're thankful and can enjoy
the gifts of God.

Ecclesiastes 6:1-8:17 - Sermon #3: There is no fulfillment in
any earthly pleasures or wealth. Gaining the whole world does
not fulfill a man, there is no long-lasting contentment in money
or in having many children. There is no great satisfaction in
being educated in the world or being uneducated and a fool.
There is no real point in life other than God, one can receive a
wise counsel for a corrupt world, but true values come when
someone is faced with sorrow or death. There are problems with
short-lived pleasures, and there are also problems with gaining
wealth dishonestly, and also getting angry easily. It is better
to be wise and to have great wealth when you're dealing with the
problems in life. You can have good luck or bad luck, these also
come from God. You can boast about your religious ideals and you
can hire prostitute, both of these lead to major problems in
life. There is nothing greater than wisdom, every man is a
sinner and one should be aware of his actions. But man who has
much education cannot find spiritual truth. The greatest evil is
an evil woman. Every man has grown to become corrupt. The world
is fallen, therefore respect governmental authority. God's law
exists in the universe despite the sorrows in life and even
death. The good person, or the unpunished evil person will
eventually meet God in judgment. Life has many problems and this
may encourage some that God's ways are beyond understanding.

Ecclesiastes 9:1-12:8 - Sermon #4: God will deal with the
world's injustices. Death will come upon everyone eventually,
whether one is evil or good, or even very good. When one dies
all of their learning will come to an end, those who are seeking
God must let others see and take advantage of life. Becoming
successful is an uncertainty, and living a long life is
difficult even after trying. But wisdom, which goes unnoticed is
greater than the strongest force. Life is uncertain and yet
there is folly. Just a little folly can ruin your life. Take
wise choices in front of important people especially rulers.
Your great wealth can turn away, and sin can make you miserable.
The fool makes conversation that is worthless and has no
direction. It is important to have direction in life and
morality is important for nations and men. When you despise
authority you will be punished. There is a good way to spend
your life, be kind, do good to those who do good to you. Realize
that God's laws are established in nature and no one can alter
them. It is wise to be happy in whatever you put your hand to.
There is punishment for those who are young that are seeking
lustful pleasures. Make a decision early in life to seek after
God for you become old.

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 - Conclusion: The meaning of life in the
light of eternity. The book of Ecclesiastes was given to teach
us the meaning of life, which is to fear the Lord and to obey
his word. This encouragement is more valuable than every book
they could ever be written in the whole world by all the wisest
men. God will come and his judgment will be final.

Quick Reference MapMap of the Empires of David and Solomon (Click to
Enlarge)

Many Thanks to The British Museum, The Louvre, The Oriental Institute, Dr. Amihai Mazar, Dr. Dan Bahat, Dr. Craig Johnson, Yaacov Kuc, Chuck Smith, Jim Darden, Ron Haaland, The Translators of the KJV, and many others including Jesus, the Word of God.